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Saint Moses the Strong

“ 'Come now, and let us reason together,' Says the Lord, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow.' "

(Isaiah 1:18)
Painting of the Icon of St. Moses at St. Mary and St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church

The Story In Summary

Early Life and Accepting the Christian Faith

Saint Moses was born in Ethiopia about 332 AD. He lived in Egypt. In his youth, he was the slave of a high government official who worshipped the sun. His master could not tolerate Moses' dishonesty and violence. It was even said that Moses went so far as to commit murder. Finally, his master drove him out of his house. Moses became the head of a gang of seventy robbers. He was a strong and fierce man of huge stature.

The specific circumstances regarding Saint Moses conversion are not known. It was mentioned that Saint Moses used to address the sun saying that if you are god let me know, and You the God whom I know not, lead me to You. So one day, he heard a voice saying to him that the monks of the wilderness of Shiheet (Scetis) know the real God. Go to them and they will inform you.

Immediately, he rose up, girded his sword, and went to the wilderness of Scetis - in the western desert of Egypt. There, he met Father Isidore, who became frightened when he saw Moses' appearance. Moses comforted Father Isidore telling him not be afraid because he came to hear about the true God. Father Isidore took him to Father Macarius the Great, who talked to him about the Lord Christ, the Incarnation, and the Redemption. Moses believed and accepted the Christian faith.

True Repentance

Saint Moses was heavily burdened with sin. Frequently, he exploded in tears and found relief in his spiritual guide, Saint Isidore, and confessing his sins. When the time for his baptism came, Saint Moses confessed all his past evil deeds publicly in the church.

During his confession, Saint Macarius saw a tablet that was all black representing the sins of Saint Moses. An angel was seen wiping off every sin as it was confessed by Saint Moses, until finally the tablet was completely white. Saint Moses became a monk and continued his life of repentance in the monastery.

His Love for Serving Others

Saint Moses loved serving others. When the elders of the monastery went to sleep, he would pass by their cells, take their water pots, and fill them with water from a well far from the monastery.

Saint Moses became very famous among the monks of Scetis because of his humility, his meekness, and his love for strangers. His solitude was frequently interrupted by the influx of visitors.

He went to Saint Macarius and told him of his desire to live in silence. Saint Macarius advised him to move to an isolated cell in Petra. Petra (literally rock) is the northern area of Scetis. It was an area difficult to reach and water was scarce. Saint Moses lived in Petra for six years in a cave that he dug for himself in the rock. He became known as Father Moses of Petra.

Saint Moses was later chosen to become a priest in Scetis to assist Saint Isidore. Pope Theophilus ordained him a priest, and after Saint Moses was dressed in the white priestly garments, Pope Theophilus stated, "Behold, Father Moses, now you are entirely white, inside and out."

His Quotes and Teachings

One of his famous sayings was as follows:

"Four virtues aid the young monk: continuous meditation on the word of God, watchfulness, fervent prayer and considering himself as nothing."

St. Moses the Strong

One of his other sayings may summarize his spirituality:

"Humility of heart precedes all virtues, and the desire of the belly is the source of all passions. Pride is the basis of all vices and love is the origin of all goodness."

St. Moses the Strong

For More of His Sayings, Click Here!

His Virtues

Once the Fathers of the Scetis were holding a council to reprimand a monk who had committed a fault. Saint Moses was invited, but he refused to attend. The priest went to him, and asked him to come, for the people were expecting him. Saint Moses arose, took a basket filled with sand that had a hole in the bottom of it, carried it on his shoulder and started walking towards the council.

When the monks saw him coming with the bag of sand and the sand pouring out of the hole, they asked him the reason for his behavior. He said to them that the sand running from the bag represented his sins which were always following him, and yet he was coming to judge the errors of his brother. When they heard this, they left the council and every monk went to his own cell, as none could judge that monk.

His Martyrdom

When the Berbers raided Scetis and destroyed its four churches, Saint Moses was seventy-five years old and had seventy disciples. On the day of this raid, Saint Moses was sitting with seven of his disciples when he told them that the barbarians were coming to Scetis. He instructed them to rise and escape. They asked if he was also escaping with them. He said that the words of our Savior must be fulfilled,

"All who take the sword will perish by the sword"

(Matthew 26:52)

Therefore, he stayed. The seven disciples also decided to stay with their father. Shortly thereafter, the Berbers entered the cell and killed them.

One of the monks was able to flee. He hid behind a palm tree and saw seven crowns coming down and crowning them.

His Body

The monks of El Baramos Monastery at Scetis have faithfully kept the body of Saint Moses, which remains to this day beside the body of his spiritual father, Saint Isidore, inside the main church of the Monastery.

His Feast

The church celebrates the commemoration of the martyrdom of Saint Moses on July 1st every year - the 24th day of the Coptic month of Paone.

Hear the Story

Praises and Hymns

Sun of Righteousness -Arabic Hymn

References

Synaxarium- Coptic Reader App

St. Mary and St. Moses Abbey

Additional Resources

Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, South California, and Hawaii